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For some people a first visit can be a little daunting, but there is very little to worry about. I will ask you to fill in a short consultation form which will include a brief medical history and the reason for your visit, i.e. a sore shoulder, back pain, stressed out, etc. I will then ask you a few more questions about your condition to decide if I think my type of treatment is appropriate for you. The initial session including consultation and massage takes around 75mins, giving us plenty of time so that the session does not feel rushed.

As the treatment is usually performed directly onto the body using oil, then undressing down to underwear is required. I will leave the room to allow you to undress and once you are on the couch you can cover yourself with a towel, then I will re-enter the room to start the treatment. I do offer another type of treatment which can be performed through clothing. If for some reason you really prefer not to get undressed to have a massage, but you would still like to come for a treatment, then just call me and we can talk about the options available before you come along.

Sometimes you can feel a little chilly after a treatment due to the circulation opening up during the massage. Usually some loose, comfortable and warm clothing is best. I will endeavour to remove any excess oil from you after your treatment, but there is always the possibility of getting a little oil residue on your clothes. Perhaps it is a good idea for you to wear something you are not too concerned about, should this happen.

Similar to not eating prior to exercise, it is best not to have a massage treatment on a full stomach. I will be moving the blood and lymph through the body at an increased rate during the massage and this may prevent the body from digesting food efficiently. Also it can be a bit uncomfortable lying down when feeling full after eating a meal. Probably best if you can leave a couple of hours between eating a large meal and having a massage treatment if that is possible. Having something light to eat afterwards should be fine.

There are many ways that the body that can be positively affected by having a massage treatment. By using targeted techniques it is possible to attain a physical release of restricted muscle, fascia, nerves and other soft tissues. These restrictions are known as adhesions. A positive effect on the chemical environment of tissues within a localised area can be achieved by shifting away metabolic waste which can irritate muscles and nerves, thus allowing a better flow of energy, oxygen and nutrients into the area. Globally, by rebalancing the muscles throughout the body the nervous system is able to reset various muscle tones to more appropriate levels. This can help to reduce the pressure that builds up in certain areas leading to painful conditions. By moving you away from the sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system response, a good massage can help to move you towards the para-sympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system response. This is where relaxation and recovery can occur.

There are many things which can influence how a massage feels and how you respond to a treatment. Tissue sensitivity varies greatly between individuals depending on a variety of factors including, severity of the localised tissue stress, your general health strength and fitness, hydration levels, emotional state, chemical stress from dietary factors, condition of the nervous system, hormonal factors, etc. The main thing to keep in mind is that although there may be some discomfort during the treatment this usually subsides quite quickly. I will always work within your limits and at any time during the treatment if you need a break you can say “stop” and I will respect your instruction.

You may feel a bit fatigued from the massage so the best thing to do is relax and allow the body to recover. Take this time to rehydrate by drinking plenty of water; this will help your body to remove any waste metabolites that may have been released into your system. If you exercise regularly then I would advise that you leave an extra day or two before your next training session. Proper recovery is just as important as making sure you use the appropriate workout intensity and frequency for you, depending on your current health and fitness levels.

This really depends on your condition and how you respond to the treatment. Normally if you have had a problem for a while then more than one session may be required. If the factors that caused the problem can be identified and removed or reduced then recovery should be able to take place. If there is an ongoing stressor present, say due to the type of job you do, then there may be a case for some sort of regular maintenance work to ensure that the body stays healthy enough to cope with the ongoing demands. This is precisely why I have a regular massage treatment, as it allows me to recover from a very heavy workload and I am able to perform at my best month after month with relative ease and comfort. Many people who discover the benefits of massage decide to make this investment in a regular treatment and work out a frequency that is best suited to them. You only get one body, so it makes sense to look after it.

I accept cash, card or bank transfere, all payable at the time of treatment.